Comments on: What Guidance Would You Give to An Algonquin College Student on Online Identity and Career Advancement?

By: coffeewithjulie

coffeewithjulie — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 12:46:23 +0000

Yes, from my own experience as a book lover, I know how fabulous I’ve felt when a big-name author I admire takes the time to respond to something I’ve said about their book. (This post from UnMarketing tells it all: http://www.unmarketing.com/2011/01/11/the-awesomeness-of-being-a-2-0-author/)

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 02:36:01 +0000

All the advice here is really good. I would add to that, being responsive and interactive with the people who take the time to interact with you is critical. As Joe said it can’t really come off as contrived, but showing genuine interest and gratitude for people is a big part of what builds loyalty.

By: krusk

krusk — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 14:16:58 +0000

A great point but one I’ve personally been failing at!!

By: coffeewithjulie

coffeewithjulie — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 13:47:40 +0000

Yes, this is a good point! (And one I’m not particularly great at either …) Thanks for sharing this!

By: suze

suze — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 13:39:10 +0000

I really like what Joe, Kelly and Annie said — they’re the experts!

But as (only) a reader of blogs, I appreciate when someone I follow updates their blog regularly. If that means prepping a few extra posts for those weeks you’re insanely busy, so be it. But if you stop providing new content regularly (every few days, every week at the very least), I’m probably going to stop reading. And you may never get me back.

By: coffeewithjulie

coffeewithjulie — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 02:25:58 +0000

@Joe Boughner Yes, it’s all quite saturated these days. But as I was telling the students — if only one person reads your blog and it’s a future dream employer — then that’s all that matters. Just do what you do well. You don’t need internet fame, you just need your own community. (p.s. I used the term “douchebaggy” as an adjective in class today. Oops!)

By: Joe Boughner

Joe Boughner — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 01:51:42 +0000

I feel like I’m a bad person for this because I’ve never made a conscious effort to build a brand or be strategic in my own use of social media. I think I was lucky enough to get involved with the PR/marketing/communications community on Twitter while it was still nascent to some degree. “Big names” were a lot more willing to answer questions and engage in conversation with the lesser lights like me because there just weren’t SO many people clamouring for their attention.

The market is saturated right now with people trying to network and make a name for themselves. Some of the efforts to build a brand are so transparently… contrived, I guess… that it makes it sort of hard to take them seriously. So I guess it all comes down to just being sincere, listening and contributing where you can add value, and generally not being a douchecanoe. Like Kelly says, the personal/professional divide is something of a myth these days so focus on being a good person who people want to be around – online AND off.

By: nickcharney

nickcharney — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:17:10 +0000

@spydergrrl I would chime in but this ^ pretty much sums it up

By: coffeewithjulie

coffeewithjulie — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 21:47:21 +0000

@spydergrrl I love this. This makes so much sense.

By: coffeewithjulie

coffeewithjulie — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 21:45:39 +0000

@krusk These are such great tips! I think there’s been a massive societal change … where at one time you could separate your work from your professional life. But when you go online, it’s all mixed in (whether you like it or not).